Moldova fights denial of communist-era atrocities
The Association of Former Deportees and Political Prisoners of the Republic of Moldova has issued a public appeal, urging authorities to firmly condemn the denial of communist-era repressions and the manipulation of public opinion on this matter.
The organization also calls for harsher penalties for such actions, deeming them reprehensible and dangerous for the country's historical memory. Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu supports the initiative.
"We urge those with legislative initiative to submit proposals for amending the Penal Code to penalize the public denial or contesting of crimes committed by the communist regime between 1917 and 1989 on the current territory of the Republic of Moldova," states the Association's appeal.
Under current legislation, the Penal Code stipulates penalties of between 6 months and 5 years in prison for the public denial or challenging of the Holocaust or its effects. The Association's representatives believe a similar provision should be introduced for the denial of communist-era repressions.
Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu welcomed the initiative, emphasizing the importance of protecting the memory of victims of the totalitarian regime, alongside that of Holocaust victims.
"Those who dare to deny the deportations, to deny the suffering of people who were taken from their homes, relocated, had their property confiscated, and died in Siberia, Kazakhstan, or the steppes... Yes, there must be sanctions for those who deny such things," Igor Grosu stated today.
The Association's appeal comes in the context of recent statements made by convicted politician Ilan Șor and his allies. They reportedly used social media to deny the existence of systematic repressions committed by the communist regime between 1917 and 1989.
"These statements represent a grave insult to the memory of the victims of deportations, organized famine, arbitrary arrests, extrajudicial executions, and other forms of communist-era repression. Claiming that a national plan dedicated to commemorating the victims of the communist regime would promote Nazism or rehabilitate war criminals is a dangerous and cynical manipulation, utterly baseless in reality," the Association warns.
The organization calls on civil society, the media, academia, and responsible citizens of the Republic of Moldova to firmly reject such toxic messages, emphasizing that protecting historical memory is a collective responsibility.
"It is our responsibility to defend historical truth, to promote democratic values, and to educate younger generations in the spirit of human dignity and respect for human rights," the appeal further states.
The Association's representatives note that the National Plan for the Commemoration of Victims of the Communist Regime, approved by the Government on June 24, 2025, aims to educate young people in the spirit of historical truth and the condemnation of all forms of totalitarianism.
In the same vein, the Association of Former Deportees and Political Prisoners of Moldova has requested that Ilan Șor issue a public apology for his remarks regarding the memory of victims of political repressions committed by the communist regime.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
